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The Wonders Of Omega 3 – Fish Oil

side effects mercury

Despite its numerous health benefits, fish oil supplements are not free of side effects, even though they are considered as natural products. These side effects of fish oil can’t be taken lightly because it might cause serious effects especially when taken at higher dosages. Ironically higher dosages are often recommended by the doctors to obtain the maximum benefits of fish oil.

Some common side effects of fish oil are nausea, bad breath, heartburn or indigestion, Diarrhea and fishy burps or fishy aftertaste. These gastrointestinal problems might not look serious in the initial stage, but their seriousness can’t be ignored. For those who are taking fish oil supplements, here is a list of few symptoms to know you aren’t suffering from any possible side effect.

Bleeding or unusual bruising

Changes in vision or speech

Blood in the stools

In a recent research held at the Tufts – New England Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center in Boston, Massachusetts, fish oil dosages in a limit of a few hundred milligrams a day to over eight grams a day were given in a period of few days to over seven years. It was found that in less than 7% of all fish oil studies have certain side effects. But there were no reports of any life-threatening illness, disabilities or severity like sudden deaths from taking fish oil supplements.

These possible side effects of fish oil are relatively minor when compared to the major health benefits of fish oil supplements. Regarding the side effects, many people find it really helpful to keep their fish oil supplement in the freezer so as to reduce the gastrointestinal-related side effects. Pharmaceutical-grade fish oils supplements, available in orange, lemon, and peach flavors are also effective for the fishy aftertaste problem as they do not contain mercury, PCB’s or other contaminants.